Shelter from the fire storm: inside Sonoma’s evacuation center

By Sarah Ford | Sonoma Valley Sun “It was an honor and a privilege to serve,” said Sonoma Valley High School Principal Kathleen Hawing, referring to her role as Shelter Manager for eight days and nights when the high school was transformed into Sonoma’s primary evacuation... Continue

County Office of Education says School District is “at risk of insolvency”

The following letter was received by the Sonoma Valley Unified School District on October 9, 2017. It indicates that "...the District is at risk of insolvency and has not addressed 'critical elements in the District's operations'"... Sonoma County Office of Education 5340 Skyline Boulevard Santa... Continue

Wildfire relief and insurance seminar

On Saturday, October 28 from 1 p.m., Kivelstadt Cellars will host a seminar and discussion about insurance and government claims related to the wildfires. The panel of experts will address general insurance claims, evidence preservation and claim preparation, government entitlements and government registration and claims... Continue

Under The Sun: Three humble heroes

Haley Cutter, Firefighter When did you arrive at the fire? In the early hours of October 14. My strike team from Squaw Valley had been fighting fires in Grass Valley when we got the word to come protect a structure in Sonoma. We arrived in the... Continue

The pay-what-you-can farm stand movement. Will it catch on?

And across the country, this trend is on the rise. From restaurants to museums to yoga studios, businesses are making their services available to everyone through sliding pay scales. Frustrated by the price of produce and the notion that healthy food should cost more, farm... Continue

SDC is vital to special-needs care

There are not enough hospital beds in Sonoma County to accommodate the mentally ill. For instance, Napa State Hospital is filled to capacity. And yet the hospital on Chanate in Santa Rosa was closed and the property is being sold to developers at a very... Continue

Where do we go from here?

It's been a traumatic few weeks for Sonoma Valley; many now homeless, woodlands and grasslands denuded of ground-cover, unhealthy air, and an economy hit hard. The ripple effects of the Sonoma Valley Firestorm will continue for months, and so will the personal and social trauma.... Continue

County approves recovery measures

With a vow to “work alongside our community for as long as it takes,” the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors passed Tuesday measures to aid fire recovery efforts. “Sonoma County is just beginning to start the long recovery process,” said Chair Shirlee Zane. “We will... Continue

Free support: coping with stress & loss

Hospice by the Bay will host free drop-in support, “Coping with Stress & Loss from the Fires,” in sessions on Tuesdays, Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and 14, from noon to 1 p.m. The groups meet at the Sonoma Community Center, 276 East Napa Street. All... Continue

SVHS Homecoming rescheduled for November 3

Sonoma Valley High School welcomed students back to campus Monday. By providing appropriate social and emotional supports to students, as well as school supplies for displaced students, school administration believe SVHS is returning to a sense of normalcy for its students. An important element is... Continue